Proverbs

Posted on May 18, 2006 by artbobo

wisdom OKINAWAN PROVERBS Excerpted from
The Okinawan Mind in Proverbs
Zenko Shimabukuro

Ataishi turu atairu. – We get along well with those we can get along with well.

Achinee ya tankaa mankaa. – Business is a two-way street.

Aramun jooguu ya duu ganjuu. – One who eats plain food is healthy.

Ichariba choodee. – Once we meet and talk, we are brothers and sisters.

Uya yushi kwa yushi. – Parents and children teach one another.

Kaagee kaa ru ya ru. – Beauty is skin deep.

Kamuru ussaa mii nayun. – The more you eat, the more you gain.

Kuu sa kana sa. – Small things are lovable.

Kuchi ganga naa ya yakutatan. – A smooth talker is a good-for-nothing person.

Kutubaa. Jin chikee. – Spend words as efficiently as money.

Kutuba noo ushikumaran. – A word can’t be recalled once spoken.

Shikinoo chui shiihii shiru kurasuru. – Let’s live helping each other in this world.

Shinjichi nu ada nayumi. – Kindness will never be wasted in any way.

Jin too waraaran kwa tu ru waraariiru. – We can laugh happily with our children, but not with money.

Chu uyamee ru duu uyamee. – If you respect others, they will respect you.

Choo kukuru ru dee ichi. – The heart is the most essential human quality.

Tusui ya tatashina mun. Warabee shikashina mun. – The old should be treated with due respect. Children should be treated with gentleness.

Tusui ya takara. – The old people are treasures to us.

Miitundaa duu tichi. – Man and wife are one flesh.

Nuchi nu sadamee wakaran. – Only God knows one’s term of life.

Machushi garu ufu iyoo tuyuru. – One who waits patiently will catch a big fish.

Miinai chichi nai. – We learn by watching and listening.

Mii ya tin niru aru. – Our fates are as registered by heaven.

Munoo yuu iyuru mun. – Speak well of others.

Yaasa ru maasaru. – Food is delicious when one is hungry.

Duu nu duu ya duu shiru shiyuru. – You know your body best.

Choo kani ru deeichi. – Common sense is essential.

Yii kutoo isugi. – Do good things quickly.

Chira kaagi yaka chimu gukuru. – Kind hearts are better than fair faces.

Yuu ya shititin mii ya shitinna. – Even if you hide yourself from the world, don’t lose sight of your real nature.

Nmarijima nu kutuba wasshii nee kuni n wasshiin. – Forgetting your native tongue means forgetting your native country.

Ashibi nu chura saa ninju nu sunawai. – The more the merrier.

Acha nu neen chi ami. – Tomorrow is a new day.

Yikiga nu kutubaa shuumun gaai. – A man’s word is his honor.

Mookiraa kwee michi shiri. – Once you have made a fortune, know how to spend it.

Note on Pronounciation
There are five vowels:
a – as in "father"
i – as in "each"
u – as in "blue"
e – as in "pet"
o – as in "so"

The double vowels are prounced with the longer vowel sound. For example: dee is prounced more like "day" as opposed to "dee" (long "e" sound).

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Language

Posted on May 18, 2006 by artbobo

uchinaguchi
the language of Okinawa

the history of uchina guchi
(Excerpt taken from Etsuko Higa’s Master of Arts thesis,
Okinawan Classical Music: Analysis of Vocal Performance,
University of Hawaii, 1976.)

The language of Okinawa belongs to the Japanese-Ryukyuan language family which extends from Hokkaido in northern Japan to Yonaguni (73 km. off the coat of Taiwan) in the southern Ryukyus. Although Hattori Shiro, one of the leading linguists of Japan estimates that the time of separation of the Shuri (Okinawa) and Kyoto (Japan) dialects was sometime between the beginning of the sixth century and the middle of the twelfth century, the Ryukyuan language is identified as an independent language due to its remote relationships in morphological, phonological, and lexical aspects.

Within the Ryukyuan language (extending from Amami Oshima to Yonaguni), the Okinawan language itself is comprised of many diffferent dialects and sub-dialects from village to village. The Shuri dialect was standardized under the Ryukyuan kingdom central administration estiablished by King Sho Shin (1477-1526). It was the official language used in conversation by the aristocratic class of Shuri castle. Most Okinawan songs and poems were composed in the Shuri dialect.

The Shuri dialect is characterized by complexity of honorific markers which differentiate class, sex, and age. A diversity of respect forms was strictly adhered to among the three social classes of aristocracy, gentry, and commoners; between male and female; and also between different age groups. The appropriate respect forms had to be used not only when two speakers were from the same class, same sex, and even to the same age when the hierarchical distinction only related to the month of birth. When two speakers were completely different status, conversational usage was extremely complex.

The phonological characteristics of the Shuri dialect as compared to standard Japanese are mainly the vowel changes of e to i and o to u. For exmaple, the word for rain is pronounced ame in Japanese while it is pronounced ami in Shuri. In the same manner, the word for cloud is pronounced kumo in Japanese while it is pronounced kumu in Shuri. Some differences between Japanese and Shuri dialect also exist in consonants. Some of the common differences are as follows:

Japan	Shuri	Japan	Shuri
k	chu	yuki (snow)	yuchi
chi	tsi	michi (road)	mitsi
mi	n	minato (port)	nnatu
ri	i	odori (dance)	udui
wa	a	kawa (river)	kaa

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**greetings**
(Excerpted from the Okinawan Language Text by Dr. Mitsugu Sakihara.)
Chaabira sai.	Pardon me. May I come in? (Used when entering a home.)
Mensooree.	Welcome.
Ii misooree.	Please come in.
Chuu uganabira.	How do you do?
Hajimiti uganabira.	I’m glad to meet you.
Uchinaa-guchi wakai miseemi.	Do you understand Okinawan?
Uu, ufee wakai biin.	Yes, I understand a little.
Nifee deebiru.	Thank you.
Guburii sabira.	I would like to be excused.
Chaa ganjuu yaibiimi tai.	Have you been well?

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**words & phrases**
(Excerpted from UCHINANCHU: A History of Okinawans in Hawaii)
abiyaa	person who talks loudly, yelling
achisan yaa tai	It’s hot, isn’t it?
andagii	Okinawan doughnut
anmaa or ayaa	mother
ashitibichi	pig’s feet soup
chu (short sound)	people
churakaagii	good looking
gachimayaa	gluttonous
jin-gwaa	money
kumankai kuuwa	Come here.
maa kai ga	Where are you going?
magii	large, big
maasan	tasty, delicious
niibu yaa	sleepy head
njichabira	goodbye
Uchinanchu	people from Okinawa
uumaku	rascal
ningurugwaa	sweetheart (besides’s one’s wife); girlfriend
unju	you (polite)
warabi	child
yanakaagii	not good looking
yukuimisooree	Rest awhile.
Yamatunchu	Japanese from the main islands of Japan; naichi
yuntaku	talkative

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Chronology

Posted on May 18, 2006 by artbobo

Okinawan History

A Chronological Table

PRIMEVAL
	Old Stone Age
	Shell Mound Age
605	The Chinese Emperor Yo (Sui Dynasty) sends Shu-Kan to the Ryukyus
608	From about this time, the "Southern Island" people pay tribute to the Japanese Imperial Court.
ANCIENT
1187	Shunten becomes overlord of Central Okinawa
1260	Eiso beomes new overlord
1296	A Mongol invasion army attacks Okinawa and is repulsed
1317	Miyako islanders drift ashore in China while enroute to trade in Souteast Asia
1326	At about this time, the Three Kingdoms in Okinawa (Hokuzan, Chuzan, and Nanzan) begin their rivalry
1349	Satto becomes ruler of Chuzan and increases its influence
1350	Nanzan (the southern kingdom) sends tribute to the Ming
1383	Hokuzan (the northern kingdom) sends tribute to the Ming
1392	A group of Chinese, now known as the "Thirty-six Families" are naturalized in Chuzan.
1404	A Siamese shop comes to Okinawa to trade
1416	The Chuzan King, Sho Hashi, captures Nakijin Castle and brings about the downfall of Hokuzan.
1425	Sho Hashi sends trading vessles to Siam
1428	Sho Hashi sends trading vessels to Palembang (Sumatra)
1429	Sho Hashi conquers Nanzan and is the first to succeed in uniting all Okinawa. (Beginning of the First Sho Dynasty.)
1430	Trading ships are sent to Java
1431	Sho Hashi establishes formal diplomatic relations with Korea and initiates trade
1451	Sho Kimpuku builds the Chokotei (a road around Naha inlet)
1458	The Gosamayu Awamari rebellion takes place. A large bell (the Bankoku Shinryo), on which there is an inscription concerning the prosperity of the Ryukyus, is cast.
1459	Kanemaru Uchima is appointed Foreign Trade Minister.
1463	Trading ships are sent to Malacca
1466	After an audience with the Shogun of the Muromachi Shogunate (Japan), a Ryukyuan friendship mission sets off gunpowder outside the gates in celebration and astonishes the people of Kyoto.
1470	Kanemaru Uchima overthrows the First Sho Dynasty, begins a new (the second) Sho Dynasty, and assumes the name of Sho En.
1492	The Enkakuji Temple is built
1498	Trade begins with Patani (on east coast of Malaysa)
1500	Sho Shin conquers Miyako Island, he also puts down the rebellion led by Oyake Akahachi of Yaeyama Island and assumes rule over the castles of Saki Shima (the "Southern Island" as Miyako and Yaeyama were then known.)
1511	Portugal causes the downfall of Malacca and strengthens it to be used as a base for the invasion of Asia.
1532	The first volume of the Omoro Soshi (a compendium of ancient songs and rituals) is compiled.
1534	The Chinese Ming Emperor sends an envoy, Chin Kan, and party to visit the Ryukyus
1553	Yara Castle is built at Naha Harbor and coastal defenses are prepared
1579	A tablet inscribed "Country and Propriety" is placed on public display at Shuri Castle. (Translator’s Note: This tablet had been presented to the King at Shuri by the Chinese Emperor in recognition of the Ryukyuans’ strict adherence to the Chiense rules of ritual and etiquette.)
1592	Hideyoshi Toyotomi (the Japanese Shogun) orders the King of the Ryukyus to assist in the invasion of Korea; the King ignores the order.
1600	The Eastern army wins the great Battle of Sekigahara (in Japan). Ieyasu Tokugawa establishes his leadership in Japan.
1609	Ichisa Shimazu of Satsuma sends 3,000 troops and subjugates the Ryukyu Kingdom. (The Shimazu Invasion)
1611	The Satsuma Clan looks into the productive capacity of the Ryukyus; divides the Amami Oshima area (the islands north of Yoron Island) from the Ryukyus: and hands down the Okite Jugo Jo (fifteen ordinances to be obeyed by all in the Ryukyus).
1614	The Satsumas order strict surveillance of all shipping into and out of the Ryukyus.
PRE-MODERN (Feudal)
1623	Compilation of the Omoro Soshi (22 volumes) is completed
1631	As a means of keeping the Ryukyus under control, the Satsuma send a permanent administrator to Naha.
1634	The system of sending missions of congratulation and gratitude to Edo (Tokyo) is begun.
1637	A poll tax is levied on Miyako and Yaeyama Islands
1644	The Ching Dynasty succeeds the Ming Dynasty in China
1650	Sho Jo-Ken (Choshu Haneji) prepares the "History of Chuzan."
1667	Sho Jo-Ken orders acquisition of an elementary knowledge of the Japanese performing arts.
1711	A dictionary of the old Ryukyuan language (Konkoken Shu) is compiled
1719	Chokun Tamagusuku composes the Kumi Udui (odori) and the first performance is presented
1728	Sai On becomes a member of the Regency Council of Three (Prime Minister).
1734	The scholar Chobin Hishicha is executed for political offenses
1771	A tidal wave strikes Miyako and Yaeyama Islands, causing great damage
1798	A state school is founded at Shuri for the upper class descendants of samurai
1816	The British warships Alceste and Lyra call on the Ryukyus on their way home from China. Captain Basil Hall of the Lyra later stops briefly at Helena and tells the exiled Napoleon of the Ryukyus.
1844	The French warship Alemene calls and puts a Christian missionary at Naha.
1846	An English warship brings the active missionary Bettelheim to Naha.
1851	Perry, leading an American naval force, comes to Naha and visits Shuri Castle
1854	Russian warships call on Naha. Perry returns and a compact between the United States and the Kingdom of "Lew Chew" is signed.
1859	The Makishi-Onga incident occurs.
1866	Sho Tai receives seals and documents of investiture as King from the Manchurs; he is the last to receive these and is also the last King of the Ryukyus.
1868	The Tokugawa Shogunate is overthorwn and a national government under the Emperor Meiji is realized.
1871	A ship manned by Miyako Islanders is shipwrecked on Formosa, and fifty-four men are murdered by aborigines. (The Formosan Shipwreck incident)
1872	The Meiji goverment abolishes the Kingdom of the Ryukyus and establishes the Ryukyu Han (feudal clan).
1879	In order to make the Ryukyus an integral part of Japan, although opposed by the hereditary lords of the Ryukyus, Meiji abolishes the Ryukyu Han and sets up Okinawa Prefecture.
1880	The Chinese Manchus strongly protest the Meiji rule over the Ryukyus; the question is reoslved through the arbitration of ex-U.S. President Grant.
1881	The Meiji government decides to preserve and utilize the old sysetm of ryule within Okinawa Prefecture.
1893	Okinawa’s first newspaper, the "Ryukyu Shimpo," begins publication.
MODERN
1894	Because of China’s loss in the Sino-Japanese War, anti-Japanese factions in Okinawa rapidly lose influence.
1898	The rivalry between a faction centered around Noboru Jahana, which demands revision of unjust political practices in Okinawa, and the old school deepens. Military conscription laws are put into force.
1903	Land reform is completed; new land distribution and taxation systems are established.
1909	The first election of assemblymen and convocation of an Okinawan Prefectural Assembly take place.
1911	The Okinawan historian, Fuyu Iha, publishes his great work Ko Ryukyu (Ancient Ryukyu).
1914	World War I breaks out.
1919	Laws concerning election of representatives to the House of Representatives are applied fully to Okinawa for the first time.
1925	Due to a severe recession, the three banks on Okinawa suffer management difficulties.
1926	There is great controversy centered around the novel "A Wandering Ryukyuan."
1928	Numerous labor disputes arise in Okinawa.
1934	A social science research association is formed.
1938	An Okinawa executive committee to arouse national spirit is established, and militaristic wartime systems are strengthened.
1940	A dispute about the use of the Okinawan hogen (dialect) takes place.
1941	World War II breaks out.
1944	Okinawa undergoes a great raid by American forces and Naha suffers grave damage. (The October tenth air raid.)
1945	American forces invade Okinawa. Japan surrenders unconditionally.
1946	General MacArthur declares Japan and the Nansei Shoto (all islands from Amami Oshima south to Yaeyama) to be under separate administrations.
1949	The Republic of China (Formosa) is established.
1951	San Francisco Peace Treaty puts Okinawa under American administration.
1960	The Okinawan Reversion Council is formed.
1969	Japan and the U.S. issue a joint declaration that, by mutual consent, Okinawa will be reverted to Japn on May 15, 1972.
1972	Administration of Okinawa reverts from U.S. to Japan on May 15th.
1975	The first International Ocean Expo opens on Okinawa’s Motobu Peninsula.

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Birth of Star Sand

Posted on May 18, 2006 by artbobo

folktales of

the birth of
star sand
Excerpted from Folktales of Okinawa
Bank of the Ryukyus International Foundation
Naha Okinawa Japan

A long time ago, among the twelve signs of the zodiac were the Polar Star and the Southern Cross, who decided to bring life to earth. When Southern Cross was ready to give birth, she asked the almighty God where she could go to have her babies. God looked around the earth and found a small island called Taketomi-jima lying on a beautiful coral sea to the south.

God said to Southern Cross, "Go to the south side of Taketomi-jima, where the current is warm and slow."

Southern Cross came down to the island as instructed and gave birth many times in the ocean. However, the Seven-Dragon God of the sea got angry because Southern Cross did not ask his permission. The Seven-Dragon God called on one of his servants, a giant serpent.

"I can’t allow anyone to bear babies in my ocean without my permission. Go and clean all those babies out right now."

The giant serpent promptly swallowed all the star babies with its huge mouth, killing them. Then he spit out the bodies. The dead star babies floated on the ocean and soon reached the southern shore of Taketomi-jima, called Higashi-misaki point. The bodies then turned into tiny star-shaped particles of sand.

There was a worship place at the seashore where the star babies bodies were. In that village lived a kind goddess. When she found the dead star babies, she felt very sad and gathered them all up.

"Poor star babies. I shall put you in my incense burner. Then when the villagers come to worship me in their festival, you can follow the smoke back up to your mother in the sky."

Just as the goddess planned, when the festival came, the villagers burned incense and the star babies got back to their mother in the sky in the smoke. This is the origin of Taketomi-jima’s famous star-shaped sand called Hoshi-suna, which can still be seen on the beautiful south beach of this island.

As the years passed, this became a custom for the villagers. When they hoold their annual festival at the worship site on Higashi-misaki point, they always put star sand in the incense burner. That is why when we look up at the sky at the Southern Cross, there are so many baby stars circling around their "mother."

NOTE:This is said to be the only story about star sand in all of Japan, as told by Mr. Toru Uesedo of Taketomi Island. After he died, there was no one on the island among the old people who could tell it as well as Mr. Uesedo. Besides this story, Mr. Uesedo knew many of the island’s folktales. Unfortuantely, when he died, we lost many of them. The islands of Yaeyama, where Taketomi Island is located, are rich with star-related stories.

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mukashi mukashi

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Folktales

Posted on May 18, 2006 by artbobo

folktales of

Excerpted from Folktales of Okinawa
Bank of the Ryukyus International Foundation
Naha Okinawa Japan

English Translation by
Terunobu Tamamori and Jayne A. Hitchcock

Illustrations by
Fumio Amuro

selected folktales:

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Okinawa is ichiban!

Posted on May 18, 2006 by artbobo

okinawa is ichiban!
Some Interesting Tidbits that Make Okinawa Unique
(from Okinawa Magazine, published by the Okinawa Prefectural Government
and the Okinawa Convention and Visitors Bureau)
the jewel in the pacific:
OKINAWA, THE TROPICAL TRAVEL DESTINATION

Okinawa is ichiban! The word ichiban means "#1" in Japanese. There are many things about Okinawa that make it unique, here are a few of them.

Iriomote Wildcat
Although many animals, living on the Asian Continent when Okinawa was a part of it, have been extinct, some animals have survived and evolved on the subtropical islands of Okinawa. Many rare species such as the Iriomote Wildcat, Yanbaru Kuina, and Yanbaru Tenagakogane are only seen on Okinawa.

Karate Okinawan Karate
It is said that Karate is the mix of "Ti," the Ryukyuan (Okinawan) traditional fighting art, and "Kenpo," the Kung Fu traditional fighting art of China. Karate was developed in Okinawa. When it was introduced to mainland Japan, they called it Karate meaning "empty hand." Karate has spread through the world after World War II. Okinawa is known as the root of Karate. Many people from all over the world come to Okinawa to train; and, international competitions are often held in Okinawa.

tsunahiki Biggest Rope in the World!
The Naha Great Tug of War is the main even of the Naha Festival held every year on October 10. Thousands of people compete pulling the giant rope which is hand-made every year. Recently, the rope has measured 186 meters (over 560 feet) in length and weighed over 40 tons. The Guinness Book of World Records recognized it as the biggest rope in the world.

The Longevity of Okinawans Ranks #1 in the World!
Japanese longevity for both men and women ranks first in the world; and among Japanese prefectures, Okinawa ranks on the top. In Okinawa, the number of people living more than 100 years per capita also ranks first in Japan. The reason for Okinawas’ longevity are considered to be a healthy diet, mild climate and a less stressful society.

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Okinawa Travel Summary

Posted on May 18, 2006 by dwarren

Tourism is Okinawa’s largest industry. Okinawa prefecture is host to nearly 5.5 million visitors a year who spend nearly 6 billion US dollars annually.Okinawa is the primary resort vacation destination for Japanese travelers. Tourists can enjoy an ancient culture with 9 world heritage sites, a strong crafts tradition in ceramics, textiles, and glass, a lively contemporary music scene, breathtaking empty beaches and crowded old world market places.

Travel on Okinawa and mainland Japan is extremely safe. Okinawans are known for their culture of courtesy. Food, water, and facilities are hygenic.Tipping is not a Japanese custom.

While the tourism infrastructure is extremely well developed, it is primarily targetted to the Japanese visitor.Foreign visitors should not expect English to be spoken in most establishments.Okinawans have a mixed relationship with Americans because of the large and long American military presence on the island.

Okinawa is good place to smile. A smile, a nod and a hello or "kon nichi wa" to an Okinawan invariably elicits a similiar response and changes the experience of being on the island. –editor

Okinawa Explorer, A complete guidebook to Okinawa The best English language guide book for Okinawa by Kenny Ehman ISBN 0-9768462-0-9.

Naha International Airport Primary civilian airport with monorail access to Naha. Airport code – OKA (don’t confuse Naha, Okinawa with Naha, Indonesia)

Okinawa Convention and Visitors Bureau

Real Time Exchange Rates – Exchange rates for Yen (and other currencies) via Yahoo! Finance.

All Nippon Airways (ANA)

Japan Airlines (JAL)

Japan Air Systems (JAS)

Japan Transocean Air (JTA)

Air Nippon (ANK)

Ryukyu Air Commuter (RAC)

Air Dolphin

Asiana Airlines

China Airlines

China Eastern Airlines

Philippine Airlines

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Sightseeing Info

Posted on May 18, 2006 by dwarren

Sightseeing Info

(information gleaned from various Okinawan travel publications)

Museums and Folkcraft Centers

Awamori Masahiro Gallery
Address: 5-8-1 Nishizaki Itoman-shi
Telephone: (098) 994-8080

Bashofu Hall
Address: 1103 Kijoyoka Ogimi-son
Telephone: (0980) 44-3033
Closed Sundays and National Holidays.

Ginoza Museum
Address: 232 Ginoza Ginoza-son
Telephone: (098) 968-4378

Himeyuri Peace Prayer and Memorial Museum
Address: 671-1 Ihara Itoman-shi
Telephone: (098) 997-2100

Hirara City Comprehensive Museum
Address: 1166-287 Higashi-Nakasonezoe Hirara-shi
Telephone: (098) 073-0567
Closed Mondays and National Holidays.

Ishigaki City Yaeyama Museum
Address: 4-1 Tonoshiro Ishigaki-shi
Telephone: (098) 082-4712

Ishikawa City History and Folklore Museum
Address: 2865-1 Ishikawa Ishikawa-shi
Telephone: (098) 965-3866

Kihoin Temple Shushuin Treasure House
Address: 108 Taketomi Taketomi-cho Yaeyama-gun
Telephone: (098) 085-2202

Kyoei Glasswork Factory
Address: 85 Fuchaku Onna-son
Telephone: (098) 965-3090

Moromi Folklore Hall
Address: 3-11-10 Moromi Zato Okinawa-shi
Telephone: (098) 932-0028

Motobu Town Museum
Address: 847-1 Ohama Motobu-cho
Telephone: (0980) 47-5217

Nago Museum
Address: 1-8-11 Agaire Nago-shi
Telephone: (0980) 53-1342
Closed Mondays and holidays.

Nago Shellfish Exhibition Hall
Address: 1004 Miyazato Nago-shi
Telephone: (0980) 53-7501

Naha City Traditional Craft Center
Address: 1-1 Toma Naha-shi
Telephone: (098) 858-6655

Nakagusuku Castle Museum
Address: 563 Oshiro Kitanakagusuku-son
Telephone: (098) 935-3347

The Nakamura’s Residence
Address: 106 Oshiro Kitanakagusuku-son
Telephone: (098) 935-3500

Nakijin Village History and Culture Center
Address: 5110 Imadomari Nakijin-son
Telephone: (0980) 56-5767

Okinawa City Hometown Museum
Address: 235-3 Uechi Okinawa-shi
Telephone: (098) 932-6882
Closed Mondays and National Holidays.

Okinawa Craft Village
Address: 6203-1 Onna Onna-son
Telephone: (098) 966-2910

Okinawa Peace Prayer and Memorial Hall
Address: 448-2 Mabuni Itoman-shi
Telephone: (098) 997-3011

Okinawa Prefectural Museum
Address: 1-1 Shuri Onaka-cho Naha-shi
Telephone: (098) 884-2243
Closed Mondays and National Holidays.

Okinawa Shellfish Specimen Hall
Address: 486 Kushi Nago-shi
Telephone: (0980) 55-2153

Prefectural Peace Prayer and Memorial Museum
Address: 604 Mabuni Itoman-shi
Telephone: (098) 997-2874

Ryukyu Glasswork Village
Address: 169 Fukuchi Itoman-shi
Telephone: (098) 997-4784

Ryukyu no Yakata
Address: 5-11-2 Nishizaki Itoman-shi
Telephone: (098) 992-1000

Sakima Art Museum
Address: 358 Uehara Ginowan-shi
Telephone: (098) 893-5737

Tama-udun
Address: 1-3 Shuri Kinjo-cho Naha-shi
Telephone: (098) 885-2861

Tropical Nature Museum
Address: 527 Yonehara Ishigaki-shi
Telephone: (098) 088-2124

Urasoe City Art Museum
Address: 1330 Nakama Urasoe-shi
Telephone: (098) 879-3219

Yomitan Village Art Museum
Address: 708-6 Zakimi Yomitan-son
Telephone: (098) 958-2254
Closed Mondays and National Holidays.

Yomitan Village History and Folklore Museum
Address: 708-4 Zakimi Yomitan-son
Telephone: (098) 958-3141
Closed Mondays and National Holidays.

Yomitan Village Traditional Craft Center
Address: 2974-2 Zakimi Yomitan-son
Telephone: (098) 958-4674
Closed Sundays and National Holidays.

Sightseeing Spots

Busena Resort (Underwater Tower)
Address: 1744-1 Kise-busenabaru Nago-shi
Telephone: (0980) 52-3379

Chinen Marine Leisure Center
Address: 676 Kudeken Chinen-son
Telephone: (098) 948-3355

Dogashima Orchid Center
Address: 961-30 Kadekaru Ishikawa-shi
Telephone: (098) 965-3400

The Former Japanese Navy’s Headquarters
in the Underground Shelter
Address: 236 Tomigusuku Tomigusuku-son
Telephone: (098) 850-4055

Fukushu-en (Chinese-Style Garden)
Address: 2-29 Kume Naha-shi
Telephone: (098) 869-5384

Gyokusendo Kingdom Village & Habu Park
Address: 1336 Maekawa Tamagusuku-son
Telephone: (098) 949-7421

Himeyuri Park
Address: 1300 Maehira Itoman-shi
Telephone: (098) 997-3111

Kin Kannodera Limestone Cave
Address: 222 Kin Kin-cho
Telephone: (098) 968-8581

"c10">Matsuyama-goden
Address: 1-12 Shuri Tobaru Naha-shi
Telephone: (098) 885-1690

Mexican Cactus Park Sarabanda
Address: 1010 Odo Itoman-shi
Telephone: (098) 997-3355

Mogulin (Underwater 30m Cruise)
Address: Marina in Sun Marina Hotel, Onna-son
Telephone: (098) 964-5555

Nago Paradise
Address: 1774 Koki Nago-shi
Telephone: (0980) 52-6262

Nago Pineapple Fields
Address: 1195-1 Bimnata Nago-shi
Telephone: (0980) 53-3659

Nakagusuku Castle Park
Address: 503 Oshiro Kitanakagusuku-son
Telephone: (098) 935-5719

Nakijin Castle
Address: 4874 Imadomari Nakijin-son
Telephone: (0980) 56-4400

Nankai Okoku Ryukyu no Kaze
Address: 1040 Takashiho Yomitan-son
Telephone: (098) 958-1111

Neo Park Okinawa
Address: 4607-41 Nago Nago-shi
Telephone: (0980) 52-6348

Okinawa Children’s Park (Island Park)
Address: 5-7-1 Goya Okinawa-shi
Telephone: (098) 933-4190
Closed Tuesdays.

Okinawa Commemorative National Government Park
(Oceanic Culture Pavilion, Aquarium, Tropical Dream Center)
Address: 424 Ishikawa Motobu-Cho
Telephone: (0980) 48-2743
Closed on Thursdays.

Okinawa Expo Land
Address: 148 Bise Motobu-cho
Telephone: (0980) 48-2980

Okinawa Fruits Land
Address: 1220-71 Bimata Nago-shi
Telephone: (0980) 52-1568

Orion Beer Factory
Address: 2-2-1 Agaire Nago-shi
Telephone: (0980) 52-2136
Closed Saturdays, Sundays, and National Holidays.

Ostrich Farm
Address: 309 Heshiki Nakijin-son
Telephone: (0980) 56-5608

Paradise Ryugu-jo of Herbs and Butterflies
Address: 390-1 Yamakawa Motobu-cho
Telephone: (0980) 48-3456

Pineapple House
Address: 684-1 Kyomizu Naha-shi
Telephone: (098) 858-9009

Ryukyu Village
Address: 1130 Yamada Onna-son
Telephone: (098) 965-1234

Shikina-en
Address: 421-7 Maji Naha-shi
Telephone: (098) 855-5936

Shuri Castle Park
Address: 1-1 Shuri Kinjo-cho Naha-shi
Telephone: (098) 886-2020

Southeast Botanical Garden
Address: 2146 Chibana Okinawa-shi
Telephone: (098) 939-2555

Tomishiro Castle Park
Address: 863 Tomigukusu Tomigusuku-son
Telephone: (098) 850-0031

Water Sightseeing Boat "Naha"
Address: 3-25-1 Maejima Naha-shi
Telephone: (098) 869-4701

Wine House
Address: 1195-1 Bimata Nago-shi
Telephone: (0980) 53-3659

Yanabaru Sub-tropical Park
Address: 1024-1 Nakayama Nago-shi
Telephone: (0980) 53-0007

Posted in Sightseeing Info | Comments Off

Weather, News, Maps

Posted on May 18, 2006 by artbobo

Okinawa Weather

What’s the Average Temperature in Okinawa?

Okinawa is in the subtropical climate zone and has comfortable weather for vacationers throughout the year. In Japan, Okinawa is the only prefecture that is located in the subtropical climate zone.

The average annual termpature of Okinawa is 22.4 C (72.3 F). Even during the winter, the temperature averages 16 C (60.8 F) and never dips below 10 C (50 F).

Best Okinawa weather links.

MSN Okinawa forecast
Weather Underground Okinawa forecast
Yahoo Okinawa forecast
Daily Yomiuri Online Naha, Okinawa forecast
NOAA National Weather Service Naha Airport, Okinawa conditions
CNN Naha, Okinawa forecast
USMC Daily weather brief Okinawa, Japan

Okinawa News Sites

The two major Japanese language newspapers are the Okinawa Times and the Ryukyu Shimpo

Okinawa Maps

It’s hard to find good Okinawa maps online. Both of the maps below have a satellite view and a road view and zoom.

local.live.com Okinawa Map unfortunatly no longer in English
Google Map very detailed Japanese only
USMC map of military installations on Okinawa
Almost free map of Okinawa sent to your address

Posted in Weather | Comments Off

*** A, B, C ***
Andagi	(Also known as Sata Andagi.) Okinawan donut. Andagi is probably the most well-known Okinawan snack. Go to Anma’s Kitchen for a recipe and photo of this delicious snack!
Asadoya Yunta	"Asadoya Yunta" originates in Taketomi Island in Okinawa. It is a very popular song, singing about a beautiful lady, "Asadoya nu Kuyama" who was brave enough to reject the wedding proposal from a government man. The Japanese government came to Ryukyu and ruled around that era, so this song has a little anti-government theme. The Asadoya nu Kuyama’s house is one of the tourist attractions in Taketomi Island. If you are on a water buffalo ride, the Ojii will play sanshin and song it for you! There is a slow version, called "Asadoya Bushi." The words are same but the melody is quite different. The most popular version is called "Shin Asadoya Yunta" and the words are not in Yaeyama dialect, but in standard Japanese. It does not sing about Asadoya nu Kuyama at all. "Yunta" is a style of songs, which is a very basic components to make the Yaeyama songs and dances very special from other parts of Okinawa. Yunta sing about intensive labors (farming), a joy of and a prayer for an abundant harvest of crops, love, building houses, etc. in a narrative fashion. (Reference: Contribution by Tomo [Yaimanchu] to E-mail Discussion Group Uchinanchu Network on 09/07/1999.) [Back to Top]
Anma	The Okinawan word for "mother."
Awamori	The favorite liquor of Okinawa made of distilled rice. Usually contains 10 to 40 percent alchohol. The best awamori has been aged for over 10 years.
Chanpuru	Also spelled champuru or champloo, this Okinawan word means "mixed together". In the context of food, it describes a stir-fry which usually includes vegetables, egg, tofu, and pork. Goya Champuru and Tofu Champuru are popular restaurant menu items. In the context of music, it is used to describe a mash up of styles. Usually Champuru music combines modern riffs with traditional Ryukyuan songs.
*** D, E, F ***
Eisa	The eisa, a folk performing art, is a dynamic, spirited dance intrinsic to a midsummer festival called Bon, or Festival of the Dead, which takes place for three days from July 13-15 of the lunar calendar. A dance of Okinawa Island and the surrounding smaller islands, it is basically a circular dance composed of both men and women. See also Eisa.
*** G, H, I ***
Goya	Often translated as "bitter melon", this vegetable has become extremely popular as a symbol of Okinawan healthy food. Roughly the shape and size of a cucumber with a bumpy exterior, it is high is vitamin C.
Haisai	An informal Okinawan greeting meaning "hi" or "hello!"
*** J, K, L ***
Kachashi	A form of Okinawan freestyle dancing characterized by hand waving and a joyous attitude. This dance is performed better under the influence of awamori.
Kariyushi Wear	Okinawan style Aloha shirt. During the winter, businessmen will wear a suit but for most of the rest of the year, kariyushi shirts are acceptable and more comfortable for Okinawa’s humid climate. Kariyushi shirts can range from flowered cotton prints like Hawaiian Aloha shirts to more traditional Ryukyuan hand woven textiles costing hundreds of dollars.
*** M, N, O ***
Mozuku	One of a number of seaweeds that is used in Okinawan cooking. Mozuku is gathered around the islands at low tide. It is usually served with a vinegar as an appetizer with meals or is cooked as tempura.
Ojii Photo One	(Also ojiisan.) Means grandfather or old man. See Asadoya Yunta. Photo One is a picture of the ojii that is spoken about in the Asadoya Yunta entry.
*** P, Q, R ***
Paranku Photo One	A small hand-held drum used in Eisa dancing and festivals.
*** S, T, U ***
Sanshin	(Also samisen or shamisen.) A three-stringed lute-like Okinawan instrument. Shaped somewhat like a small banjo, the body of the instrument is covered in snakeskin. It is played by plucking its strings with a plectrum. It is the backbone of classical Okinawan music. The instrument has its roots in China, but has been adapted and changed for Okinawan music.
Shikwasa	Okinawan lime. Many beverages are flavored with shikwasa. Also spelled shikuwasa.
Shisa	The shisa is an integral part of the Okinawa culture. Shisa almost always come in pairs; one with its mouth open and the other with its mouth closed. Despite popular belief, the pair is not one male and one female. If you notice, both are male and this can be seen in the presence of their manes. It is said that women are pure of spirit, while men are not. This is because men are to be the protectors of the household, therefore possessing a warring or warrior spirit, whereas women were the spiritual leaders of the society. For this reason, the shisa with the open mouth holds the spirit of all males that enter the building atop which they are perched. This is to ensure peaceful dwellings and relationships within the home or place of business. When the male leaves the building, this spirit is then bestowed upon him once again. The shisa with the closed mouth is the more fierce of the two, and is believed to be the one that dispells evil spirits from entering the dwelling. Shisas are similar to gargoyles in that they are seen as protectors and can be seen stationed on rooftops of many buildings in Okinawa.
*** V, W, X ***
	No entries
*** Y, Z ***
	No entries

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